| Author | Message | ||
     Macbuell |
I enjoyed Passengers as a couple hour diversion not really worrying about the details. Sometimes that works. | ||
| Aesquire |
Special effects, set design, and the acting ( really only 4 actors in the movie, except for a few seconds ) is all top notch. You buy the actors are the people they portray, ( no higher praise ) and the comedy is, in places, golden. SPOILER ALERT! This is all fill to help the fast readers not get the spoiler.... The idea that in the most luxurious place, ever, you can only have the cheapest food, is based on real life. The low end passengers on the Titanic didn't get caviar either. End Spoiler. | ||
| Aesquire |
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| Aesquire |
https://9gag.com/gag/ayX08mV Comments on Logan | ||
| Aesquire |
Just caught Jumanji. Very good. Small town theater. Admission small popcorn and medium soda, under $20. $17. Funny. Touching. Great acting. Jack Black stole it, but his character helped. If you've seen the trailer you know why. Better than the original in some ways. Maybe best video game movie....( even with imaginary game ) Not a life changing experience, unless Breakfast Club changed yours. I enjoyed myself more that Star Wars The Last Jedi. Maybe close to Thor Ragnorok in humor, I laughed out loud & wasn't alone. Not a lot to say without spoilers. Dwayne Johnson does comedy very naturally. Kevin Hart too. Karen Gillian is well known to Dr. Who fans and as Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy. Great actress. Did her gym work for the role, & it shows. The young "real world" actors are ok. Vibe is 90's video game. The genre savvy one gets to do the exposition, but it's not annoying or obtrusive. The culture clash is played for laughs as well "Why am I wearing shorts and a halter in the Jungle?" | ||
| Aesquire |
https://pjmedia.com/trending/no-theres-no-racist-c onspiracy-marvels-black-panther-movie/?utm_source= PJMCoffeeBreak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=February2 018 I'm looking forward to Black Panther. Everyone I know who likes the Superhero genre, is looking forward to it. Not one has mentioned that there are black actors... but many have laughed that there are only 2 white ones, and both are Hobbit movie veterans. And great actors. Idris Elba was great in the Thor movies. No one I know said Asgardians have to be blonde. I know the Valkyrie in Thor Ragnorok didn't get any feedback other than "I love her". So the racism angle? Only from racists. One complaint. This is NOT the first Black Superhero. Or Superhero movie/tv show. I admit that there are a lot of "Black-name" heroes out there, Like Black Lightning, etc. It's such an obvious thing that the comic Spinnerette mocks it. Spinnerette is Ohio's #3 superhero ( a spiderman parody with 6 arms that shoots webbing out of her lower back, ( not the butt ) like a real spider ) #1 & 2 are Mecha Maid, and Tiger. Spinnerette calls him Black Tiger on their first meeting, and he complains "it's just Tiger! Just because I'm black...." So there is racism in comics, and it's obvious, but it's also complained about. Luke Cage, Bishop, Nick Fury, Goliath, Storm, War Machine, Windshear... all just from Marvel, and Luke dates back to 1972. ( and those are just the ones I remember off the top of my head ) That doesn't count any of the heroes and villains that were cast with black actors & actresses that were not specifically black. Come on. Catwoman! ( ok, everyone hated it, but I enjoyed it ) The Gunfighter from the Stephen King movie. Blade. Close to the same idiocy happened when Wonder Woman came out. "Never been a Female lead in a Superhero movie". Oh? Electra? Catwoman? Sure, I'll grant you they were poor films, but they were there. Let me make this clear. I'm going to go see Black Panther because it looks like a great movie. It's in a franchise I'm emotionally invested in. The lead actor did a great job in Captain America, Civil War. I admit to some happiness that I get to see some really good actors who I wouldn't normally get to see because Hollywood is a racist, misogynistic town, and rich white guys keep casting them in gansta films and/or as disposable villains. But I'm not going for Social Justice Self Affirmation. I'm going because I want to see Wakanda. I want to see the battles. I want to see characters grow, and become more interesting for the next movie. T'Challa, as played by the great Chadwick Boseman, is a character that, if you saw Civil War, you empathize with, root for, and already saw grow up as a man, as he went from revenge driven son to compassionate, but firm adult. Bite me all you political jerks. Life is politics, politics is life. That's the prescription for evil as formulated by the most murderous ideology on the planet. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Grow the Hell up! | ||
| Aesquire |
Less than a week to go for Black Panther. The political crap is piling up from race mongers on both sides. Idiocy like "Don't dare give a black super hero movie a bad review" & "How dare there be white actors in a Black Movie". Bite my shiny metal........ First, Blade didn't have any problems getting bad reviews. Maybe, & I hope this is true, it's a good movie? Second, I must point out that the two token honkys are the Bad Guy, & the designated guy everyone explains stuff to. Both are long standing characters in the comic book. Without the treasure hunter mercenary thief there's no antagonist for the "domestic villain" to use to get weapons from. ( a major plot point ) & no outsider to spill the story that Wakanda is unusual. He's one side of the pair of opposites, yin/yang, that are the outside world's connection to the Wakanda internal struggle. The Arms dealer introduced in Avengers Age Of Ultron, & CIA agent introduced in Civil War, represent the anti-establishment/establishment forces and deliberately were written in over a year ago in the Marvel 'verse to tie this story in. Heck, they're supposed to stand out as outsiders. Gollum gets to show us the opposition, & spout the technobabble, Bilbo gets the good guy side explained to him and look uncomfortable. You couldn't ask for more genius casting. Ignore or mock the "make everything racist & political" a..holes. The more they kvetch the more I can't wait. The problem is keeping from expecting too much. I don't want to over hype the film for you or myself. Then I'm going to be all aquiver for Ant Man & The Wasp, and Deadpool 2. Infinity War I'm nervous about too many heroes and the inevitable short screen time for the Worf Effect crushing of teams so I'll miss the banter that endeared them to us. Captain Marvel I know nothing about but read the original comics. | ||
| Aesquire |
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheWorf Effect | ||
| Aesquire |
http://digg.com/2017/how-to-watch-all-of-marvel-ci nematic-universe | ||
| Aesquire |
http://ew.com/movies/2018/02/09/ron-howard-solo-a- star-wars-story/ For the Star Wars fans. I was recently chastised here for getting the Star Wars universe wrong. It's true, I was wr..... I was wr..... I was mistaken. I admit that the fairy tale Star Wars isn't my favorite franchise. I have seen a lot of it, all the movies and a few hours of the cartoon shows. The novels? Not so much. I'm willing to read good fan fiction, Jedi knows, but much of the early universe expansion novels were mediocre fan fiction. And what stories were "real" was confusing, if you don't invest the time to follow a LOT of stuff. I have a big box in my library of Trek novels. Never cared what was "Canon", for a long dead tv show. Some is horrible. A few are brilliant. Some name authors and fanfic Mary Sue writers. The correlation between fame & quality? Meh. Everything changes when novels have to fit a changing ongoing franchise. For decades until they faded.... but not disappeared, the Trek novels had no connection to an ongoing thing. Then..... movies! Next Generation! Etc! Everything changed and I didn't care. I may have had the hots for Major Kira but didn't buy the romance novels. Possibly a mistake.  Star Wars always had The Franchise first attitude on novels. Just as much fanfic, but guided and limited. Looking back on the totality I now will watch the cartoon series in binges. They may be the best written parts of the 'verse. Definitely the best dialogue. My niece will drag me into Solo. She's hardcore, & for some reason her college girl packed duplex ( 4-5 college students ) all have the hots for Kylo Ren. There's a college thesis there for someone who loves to be hated. With Ron Howard I have A New Hope that Solo won't suck. | ||
| Toro |
Such prose Patrick, very impressive. I like the way you use 200 words to say something you could have said in six. Little wonder you've had success working in the government brother! I'm a gov't employee too, so I appreciate the wonderful hyperbole. | ||
| Aesquire |
Ah! Government employee. I'm not. Non profit organization under government control. Worst of both. Real writers get paid by the word. But they have to be selling words. Or customers don't pay. Because buying is voluntary. Reports for the boss are mandatory. She's not looking for entertainment so brevity and clarity are desired. I read fairly fast but there's a difference between fiction and text books. 500-800 wpm for a novel. 200-400 for a physics text. Less if there's math. I assume that difference is true for others. Is it so for you? Sometimes you need more than "Star Wars books bore me." A bit of detail is desired, why am I bored? Better to say. "Star Wars novels although better written than the movies, lack the intellectual integrity of good hard SF." So. Why the need to try to insult? Thinly disguised envy? Self esteem issues? What is it about my godlike humility and towering intellect that scares you? ( no way can I keep a straight face at that steaming heap of a sentence. ) Seriously? I'm pretty hard to insult. My ego is secure enough, that I can admit error, & my morality seeks validation in truth, not the dialectic. Prove me wrong and I'll change my mind. As Bill Whittle puts it, If I'm wrong I move to where the truth is. Can you say the same? And anonymous insults on the internet? That's Eloi level. Sarcastic praise? Next you'll be telling us how you can kick my butt if we met in the real world. That'll really get a laugh. But. I am perhaps being unfair. Misinterpreted comments and misunderstood concern. Want to discuss which is better? Wars or Trek? Or the philosophy behind martial arts and the morality of violence? Perhaps which weapons forms are best? Hard vs. Soft? The value of sticky hands practice in Wing Chun? Does Krav Maga epitomize Western Fusion? I await your reply with humble heart. | ||
| Toro |
Patrick. I don't think you get my sarcasm. Are you not a postal worker? I've known oxygen thief's like you before. You sir, are hard to figure out though. You seem to be on the spectrum, I can't figure out which end though. You've got power point ranger written all over you. You say you post on this board because you are bored. Why don't you get out of the house more? | ||
| Aesquire |
Crippled by 25 years of faithful service as a paid Union member. Got the plaque. And the spine. Knees are titanium. Hopefully this year I'll be able to walk the entire length of a mall without stopping or using narcotics. Then I'll get started on building the airplane I helped design to replace the glider I can no longer safely land or take off. I'd love to get back to soaring now that I don't have to work weekends. I don't really have the budget to build the home fusion reactor for giggles, since it doesn't produce excess power. I've had to settle for making lawn mazes you can on only appreciate on Google Earth satellite images. I might take the time to seed Viking artifacts in unlikely locations just to troll future archeologists. ( some of my best friends ......) I assuredly will continue writing my series on aviation history myths and legends. It's been well received in that community. There's a few novels in preliminary form I should get to also. Obviously my boredom is self induced. I have plenty to do. The Hot Rod Drag Week car is still waiting on the payment from the VW fraud case, & so is the engine for the motor glider. & I have to get to the SCA event to cheer on my household member getting her Order of the Pelican. Quite proud of her. Another member is choosing her first man at arms after becoming a Knight of The Society. Happy to have helped teach her to be an honorable warrior, but never doubted she could. I'm suppose I should take the time to frame and display my awards. The police commendation is already framed, perhaps I should just match that one. It's not a big collection. Less than a dozen service and fighting awards. Nice calligraphy and illumination though. Keeping the Old Arts alive is the SCA purpose, after all. You'd expect pretty awards. And I personally know the artists. They're more a tribute to them than me. One off, hand painted. ( my sister and brother in law have many more and prettier. ) That reminds me, I have to pick up some more steel sheet to beat into armor. I'm almost out. I've got a new Beverly shear in the workshop to try out. I gave away the pneumatic planishing hammer. Need a new Pell for the back yard. Haven't scared the neighbors for a year after breaking the old one, then having surgery. Laminated 2x4 this time. I've got the carpet for it already. Excuse me. What were we talking about? | ||
| Aesquire |
I really need to call the Special Forces Colonel about buying his tent this year ( he buys a new one for his business and sells it at the end of the 2 weeks ) & see if he still wants to do the chapter on Modern Afghanistan for the article for Procedings on the history of the Pathan tribes since Alexander. He may not have time. Still in outline form but the notes are fairly complete. Don't know if they still want it or just the article on missile warfare in Byzantine naval tactics. It may end up just going to the War College in PA instead, in which case the Colonel would be the one presenting it. Only right after his time in the rock pile. I don't think Procedings will publish the article on game theory and missile defense in an age of hypersonic weapons. They've already got a few in the pipeline and mine would be redundant. Pity, it's fun to walk around Annapolis as a guest. Now if we can just avoid nuclear war with Korea, China & Putinstan, I can get some riding in this summer. (Message edited by aesquire on February 10, 2018) | ||
| Aesquire |
To be honest, Procedings of The U.S. Naval Institute has not officially solicited or scheduled the article on Byzantine Naval tactics. I was just told to write it and they'd see if it fit. Purely on spec. They've had budget issues since the spending cuts during the last administration. Most of their operating funds is from subscription. If I could just get my Father to write an article on Naval Corpsman with the Marines in Korea.......... then I might get a better understanding of the retreat from Chosin Reservoir. He's never liked to talk about it. | ||
| Blake |
Toto, What is wrong? You spew hateful mean spirited attack like the world owes you something and you're out to take it from anyone you meet. It's a vile existence. I've known Patrick through BadWeB here for years, and enjoy much of what he contributes. Life ain't about the destination, it's the journey that holds meaning, and the best things in life ain't things. You owe Patrick an apology. And consider this notice, anymore of that kind of personal attack, and you'll be asked to leave this online Buell community. Understood? | ||
| Blake |
Treat others as you would like to be treated. Eh? | ||
| Aesquire |
Don't be so harsh. It's all probably a simple matter of language and understanding. I am, after all, a loudmouthed type of guy. Gets me in trouble sometimes. Also remarkably hard to really insult. And quick to sarcasm myself. And It was a bit of a rant on the politicization of movies. Short form would be "quit reading stupid things into a comic book movie". After all, the directors can't wait to tell us their clever tricks, and if they wanted to make a hidden statement, we'll find out. | ||
| 86129squids |
Toro, seems you need to take a shit. | ||
| Hootowl |
Toro, Welcome, again, to badweb. This is not an anonymous forum for faceless people to belittle each other. Many, of not most, of the people here have met in person, take hours long trips to have lunch together, organize group rides lasting several days, and help each other out emotionally and financially when the need arises. You've effectively walked in to a family's living room and defecated on the coffee table. But all is not lost. We'd love to have you here. Just be a bit more polite, is all. And please, continue contributing to the forum. The political threads get a bit heated sometimes, but what's the point of a political discussion if nobody disagrees? Just keep it civil. No name calling. (You can call politicians names...that's what they're for.) Respectful, reasoned disagreement is welcomed. But when you post propaganda (lots of people do, it's sort of fun) and then refuse to answer simple questions about what you posted, and why you believe it to be true, you vanish, or just call the person asking the question a name, that's not reasoned debate. You seem like an intelligent person. Show us. I'm with Bill Whittle on truth as well...show me where it is, and I'll go there. | ||
| Aesquire |
A bit off topic but I got a laugh the other day. I've been very unhappy not being able to compete in SCA heavy fighting as the knees quit working. Not that I was ever a great tournament fighter. ( love me a bear pit. Winner holds the list until defeated. Then back in line ) I was in a melee oriented Household ( 2nd place in international 5 man competition ) & for years was the front right corner for my group. ( the impact point ) A buddy bought a modern book on stick fighting. There's a series of illustrations. A guy holding a stick like a baseball bat at the plate. "Baseball style, he's going to try to knock your head off" A guy holding the stick in samurai sword/Kendo position, hilt at waist, point towards opponent's head. "Scared to death, could do anything". Etc. Etc. Finally a guy holding the stick in hanging guard, hilt above eyeline, stick at downward angle, about 30 degrees, in front of head, perpendicular to enemy. "SCA style. Run. He's going to kill you." Made me crack up. Also an accurate analysis. | ||
| 86129squids |
Some folks I meet, I think to myself- "Make them your friend." +1, Patrick. In this life I've not needed to fight much at all, no training, but I believe my mind, instincts, reflexes, and strength might surprise someone. I hope not to prove that, I'm a peaceful person. I once traveled to the D.C. area (Georgetown) to participate in an SCA event, IIRC Beltane. The one when fall is getting colder. Dang that was chilly, but we watched a pagan wedding, SO beautiful. | ||
| Aesquire |
I take it as a given that most modern Paganism is really old school Christian with a slip cover. Keep the pretty parts, the grand good ideas, & throw in a drum circle and an excuse to wear nifty clothing. That's not universally true, but it's close for Wicca and the generic nature worship creeds. Thus Pagan weddings are more fun. Dour Puritanism as Hollywood sees it wouldn't accept the party after the wedding as an integral part of the ceremony. Silly, since weddings are where a lot of couples meet. I'd bet a high percentage of future marriages begin there, as a percentage of meeting locations. It's a place where people of the right ages and fairly high social status/support group, get together from greater distances, geographic and relationships speaking, than local meeting spots like churches, clubs, & bars. Some years back a couple ( now happily married ) were handfasted at Pennsic. Syracuse folk, & my squire brother Wulfstan agreed to perform the ceremony. ( Engagement announcement/party ) we offered our common area pavilion 20x22ft. tent as a location. Good move. It rained for 3 solid days. Day 3 of the rains we assembled, and Wulfstan began his sermon. He's quite good at them and was a Masonic Lore Master ( I think I got that right. Responsible for the fancy speeches/ritual in the ceremonies. ) He began with the usual platitudes. Love, responsibility, patience, communication. .... it rained harder. He asked the blessings of the Elements to be bestowed on the couple. It rained even harder. The couple have Viking personas, so he invoked that pantheon, & for the finale prayed for the blessings of Thor for the couple. As if on cue, lightning split the sky directly overhead. Close and bright as daylight in the pavilion. Thunder hammered the ears. ( I calculated the lightning within 3/4 mile vertically away ) The skies really opened up and monsoon level rain fell. Great party. About an hour later we got breathless news that the camp was flooding, & most of us spent the next few hours helping secure belongings and set tents back up. I have more stories about that night.  That year we had built a fancy gate to camp, Roman Army Stockade style ( think Western cavalry movies, same thing ) and for the next two days the structure, intended to be intimidating, was covered in drying bedding & clothing from the surrounding camps. Watch towers with catapults became the only reliable clothes line. I know this all sounds made up. Too bad. I have many witnesses. & I think the blessing took. | ||
| 86129squids |
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| Aesquire |
http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2018/02/14/ black-panther-criticized-lack-lgbt-representation/ I wouldn't mind a lesbian scene in the movie. But most guys will probably prefer to wait for the pornographic version no doubt already in production. That way you won't have to sit through the technobabble explanation for the vibranium sex toys. As I posted in the meme thread, this must be the most miserable generation. Nothing can make them happy. Blockbuster movie with a nearly all black cast? Good? Nope. Demands that the profits go to "the black community". First, What community? Detroit? A rap star clothing line? Oprah? Michelle? Second, they Do want another movie, right? If making a movie with black actors cuts your bottom line, robbing your investors of anticipated profits, then no one will invest in another movie with black actors. That's not racism, that's business. Why did Dustin Hoffman have a hard time getting a job? ( see Tootsie ) because he was expensive. Not in pay, ( he was ) but because he insisted on more takes and that costs many people time. They have to get paid too. Why isn't there a bunch of movies with accused sexual predators being made? You should be able to get them cheap. Because people won't go to see "that guy", & you lose money. This trend, demanding social blackmail payments because you have a minority or victim group in your film, & must pay a price to avoid being attacked as an exploiter? ( the real story here ) It means you won't risk using blacks or lesbians or gays. It means more bland typical Hollywood white movies. And.... damn it you cretins! This was a fanboy dream! Until you screwed it up. You think comic fans don't read the comics? You think there wasn't Gold in the fans knowing about the relationship? Especially if you keep it on the down low? Part of the fun of Fandom is knowing the hidden back story that newbie movie watchers dont, who don't read the novels ( Star Wars ) or comics ( all of the Superhero genre ) or saw every animated version? ( Star Wars, Batman, Justice League, X-men, etc. ) Secret knowledge is part of the group identity for fans. If these self important scum hadn't made a big deal, that would have meant million$ in repeat sales as the Fans urged folk to go look again for the relationship. We've seen it with Star Wars. Grassroots Fan frenzy makes big money. Imposed Social Justice idiocy costs money. I repeat, you Want Black Panther 2? | ||
| Aesquire |
Squids, the number of real fights I've had you can count on one hand. Open hand. SCA fighting like Kendo is a tournament form with little use on the streets, as such. Most places give you a hard time walking around with shinai, or nunchucks, any kind of weapons. The discipline, the mindset, that applies in the real world to a degree. But I've seldom heard of even wooden practice swords used to defend against a mugging. ( canes, occasionally. I have one custom made for airline travel. But I'm a crippled old fart and sometimes need one. I admit the headlines can be amusing. "Robber beaten by disabled elderly man" ) Most of Tai Chi, like most of Karate etc. Is open hand. No weapons. ( Tai Chi with a fan? Nasty. Someday I may get a steel battle fan like the Samurai ) Btw, all my friends know never to prank me with axe murderer hidden camera stunts. My initial reaction to a killer clown with bloody kitchen knife is probably to hit them with a table. Repeatedly. I don't know for sure, it's never happened. I may just limp away, throwing small children and pregnant ladies down to draw the clown's attention. Based on the philosophy that you don't have to be faster than the wolves. Just not the slowest. (joke sarcasm ) | ||
| Aesquire |
I bet the TSA would react badly to an Asian battle fan at the airport. Bet you they'd outlaw them on the spot. It's happened with other items no one thought to ban. Because no one expected an idiot to try and fly with a ( fill in the blank ). | ||
| Fast1075 |
I was questioned entering a government building recently. I was having a gout attack on both feet, and was using my grandfather's blackthorn shillelagh. Gatekeeper didn't want to let me in with it. I told him ok as long as he carried me back and forth. He let me in. | ||
| Aesquire |
Gout sucks. How ironic that I of peasant stock, have the disease of the Aristocracy! I'm told that sour cherry juice is the best treatment. I have a hard time finding/remembering it. No opinion. I restrict red meat intake. That seems to be my trigger. Burgers. Steak, not so much. But McDonald's double 1/4 pounders? Twice in two days and flare up. |
